This hour-long documentary is a provocative look at a historical event of which few Americans are aware. In mid-January, 1893, armed troops from the U.S.S. Boston landed at Honolulu in support of a treasonous coup d’etat against the constitutional sovereign of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Queen Lili’uokalani. The event was described by U.S. President Grover Cleveland as “an act of war.” Stylized re-enactments, archival photos and film, political cartoons, historic quotes and presentations by Hawaiian scholars tell Hawaiian history through Hawaiian eyes.
7-8PM (PST) After this screening, Honu will share a presentation on the ways US imperialism has shaped the current issues of kanaka maoli, and the importance of demilitarization in the land sovereignty movements in the Native Hawaiian case and other territories. This presentation will be followed by a discussion on how Hawaiian Renaissance leaders laid the foundation for today’s young activists to ask new questions about what it looks like to transition into a radically reimagined world governed by the principles of self-determination.
Remote attendees can access this event using the following Zoom link:
https://ucsb.zoom.us/j/87607382880
Meeting ID: 876 0738 2880
Speaker Bio: Honu is a queer Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) kiaʻi wai (water protector), aloha ʻāina, activist, haʻiʻōlelo (orator), organizer/facilitator, and creative raised in Maunalua, on the island of Oʻahu. They are kanaka diaspora born on Ohlone Lands. Honu currently works at Loko Ea fishpond, a 400-year-old traditional fishpond, as a research alakaʻi (lead) and restoration assistant. As a kumu (teacher), Honu educated elementary students through moʻolelo (stories), place-based education, mele (song), and good ol’ fashion hard work. While a student at UCSB, they organized with the UCDivestTMT campaign, mobilizing students across California to demand the UC divest, and reinvest in their students and indigenous communities. Honu’s pursuits are directed towards a complete hulihia (overturn) of decision-making power from Hawaiʻi throughout Moku Honu (Turtle Island). Their activism focuses on food sovereignty, decolonization/demilitarization, the protection of sacred sites, emboldening the ʻoiaʻiʻo (truth) of our histories and healing through connection to place.
Co- Sponsors: Mauna Kea Protectors, AS Environmental Justice Alliance, AS Office of the External Vice President for Statewide Affairs
